City Newsroom

Full-Scale Emergency Exercise Planned for June 5

Post Date:05/16/2019 9:00 AM

Medicine Hat – In order to evaluate how the City responds to an emergency situation and demonstrate the capabilities of first responders, a realistic, simulated training exercise will take place on Wednesday, June 5.

The exercise will begin at 8:00 am and run until 4:00 pm. It will involve numerous agencies, including Fire Services, the Medicine Hat Police Service, Alberta Health Services and other partners.

“We practice full-scale emergency situations every few years,” said Merrick Brown, Director of HSE and Emergency Management. “It’s a great test for every organization involved to make sure that we are ready in the event of an emergency.”

“All services, including emergency services and the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital, will be fully operational during the training exercise,” said Jason Wheeler, HSE Coordinator. “The City places the highest priority on everyone’s health and safety.”

The training area will be located at the Canalta Centre. Notice boards will be displayed around the perimeter of the arena, asking members of the public to avoid the area while the exercise is occurring.

All businesses in the Box Spring Business Park will be open while the exercise is taking place. There will be no road closures or diversions in place.

The City will require a number of volunteers to act as members of the public and evacuees on the day of the training event.

“This is a great opportunity for anyone to gain more of an understanding about how the City manages this type of event,” said Wheeler.

To volunteer, please contact Jason Wheeler by phone at 403-529-8340, or email him directly, jaswhe@medicinehat.ca.